Puch AI recently made headlines by acquiring what is being called India’s most expensive phone number—9090909090. This unusual yet symbolic move is more than just a marketing stunt. Siddharth Bhatia, co-founder of the startup, explained that owning this number aligns with their mission to build a sovereign Indian artificial intelligence platform.
In Bhatia’s words, “India deserves its own AI,” one free from foreign influence—particularly considering geopolitical concerns like China’s open-source AI models that subtly misrepresent Indian territories. The company aims to create accessible AI, serving over a billion Indians in their languages and on platforms they use daily, such as WhatsApp and voice calls.
Puch AI: Democratizing Artificial Intelligence Across India
Bhatia positions Puch AI as “India’s first AI” and a true gateway to AI for over a billion people. He traces India’s recent technological transformations: Jio made internet access universal, UPI revolutionized payments, and quick commerce reshaped retail. The next tectonic shift, he says, is mass AI adoption—starting from the most accessible platform for Indians: WhatsApp.
The startup emphasizes accessibility with voice-based AI interactions and offers a free model, despite warnings that a no-cost product would be perceived as “second-class.” Over a million Indians currently use Puch monthly, with more than 60% experiencing AI for the first time—many in their native languages using voice notes. Features like AI-generated stickers, revived old photos through videos, and voice calling with AI responses make the technology engaging and culturally relevant.
Check out his post on X:
Why did we buy India’s most expensive number?
— Siddharth Bhatia (@siddharthb_) September 2, 2025
Because India deserves its own AI.
Sovereign AI is a bigger priority than even nuclear energy in ways we can’t yet imagine. China is already releasing powerful open-source models, but every single one of them calls Arunachal Pradesh… pic.twitter.com/qqZ2pNZeZs
Founder’s Philosophy and Competitive Edge
Bhatia admits Puch AI competes with global giants like OpenAI, Meta, and Google but proudly shares how Puch delivers superior video generation compared to Grok (OpenAI’s recent tool) and offers stronger multilingual support than Meta AI, all while being fully self-hosted without external APIs. Rejecting multimillion-dollar acquisition offers and even personal proposals from industry leaders like Sam Altman, Bhatia’s stance is clear: “The only way they beat us here is by bribing government officials.”
Earlier Viral Moment: From Internships to AI Leadership
This isn’t Bhatia’s first moment in the spotlight. Earlier, he went viral for launching an innovative internship offering a stipend of upto Rs 2 lakh/month through Puch AI to engage with top tech talent across India, demonstrating a commitment to democratizing opportunities as well as technology. His leadership embodies a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs who blend vision, technology, and nation-building.
Recently, Siddharth Bhatia, made waves with his post on X. He announced an unexpected $50 billion offer to buy Perplexity AI and Google Chrome, even though Puch AI is worth only $50 million. Anyone wanting to join the deal was asked to email perplexity@puch.ai, and the first person to convince Perplexity’s CEO Aravind Srinivasan would win an iPhone. It’s all in good fun, and got lots of people talking. Read full article.
What This Means for India’s AI Future
India’s AI journey must be sovereign, inclusive, and aligned with its socio-cultural fabric. Puch AI exemplifies this approach—building technology that understands Indian languages and contexts, and which prioritizes empowerment over exclusivity.
The growing appetite for homegrown AI platforms reflects a critical shift in the global innovation landscape, where data sovereignty and cultural nuance are becoming as important as raw computational power.
Final Thoughts
Siddharth Bhatia and Puch AI herald a fresh chapter in India’s digital narrative—one where citizens experience AI on their own terms, powered by native creativity and independence. As India stakes its claim in the global AI race, pioneering startups like Puch AI will be central players shaping technologies by and for Indians, marking a true moment of national pride and technological self-determination.
